Advances in research on intrauterine HBV infection

The main cause of failure of immunization for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is intrauterine infection. Possible routes of infection include transplacental transmission, and transmission of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and germ cells. Some factors, such as the level of HBV DNA in maternal serum, HBV genotype, and hereditary factors, can affect intrauterine HBV infection. Many clinical studies have indicated that using hepatitis B immunoglobulin or lamivudine in the third trimester of pregnancy can interrupt intrauterine transmission of HBV. However, this therapy needs to be confirmed by a randomized controlled clinical trial in a large patient population. Therefore, examining the mechanisms of intrauterine infection of HBV and determining feasible therapy are crucial to controlling the HBV epidemic in China.